“These three monumental wall hangings immerse you in an exquisite silk garden, showcasing the lavish artistry and meticulous detail that defined French court interiors in the late 18th century. Experience the illusion of real flowers unfurling, woven in shimmering silk.”
Step into a world of opulent texture and intricate design with these three magnificent wall hangings, created by Philippe de la Salle in 1774. Each panel, nearly 127 inches tall, transforms the wall into a vibrant garden filled with cascading floral motifs, ribbons, and delicate trellises. Look closely at the way the silk on satin medium captures and reflects light, giving the impression of three-dimensional depth, as if real flowers are unfurling before your eyes. These hangings are a testament to the luxurious tastes of the French court during the Louis XVI period, where textiles were not merely decorative but integral to defining a space's grandeur and atmosphere. The sheer scale and meticulous detail of these pieces would have enveloped a room, creating an immersive, dreamlike environment of perpetual spring.
- Artist
- Philippe de la Salle
- Date
- 1774
- Medium
- Silk on satin
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- .35: H. 127 x W. 80 1/2 inches (322.6 x 204.5 cm); .36 and .37 each: H. 126 x W. 83 inches (320 x 210.8 cm)
- Collection
- European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
- Culture
- French
- Credit line
- Gift of Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 1958
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

Observe the shimmering quality of the silk threads, making the flowers almost glow.
Notice the variety of floral forms, from full-blown roses to delicate buds and leaves.
Look for the subtle interplay of light and shadow created by the brocading technique.
Spot the elegant ribbons and architectural trellises woven into the design.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Wall hangings (3) — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Philippe de la Salle
1723–1804 · FrancePhilippe de la Salle was a master of 18th-century Lyon silk weaving, known for luxurious textiles like his 'Branche de Corail'.
Further Works by de la Salle
Design for a Lampas Silk with a Triumphal Chariot on a Cloud
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Chair back
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Upholstery passementerie
1750 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fragment of woven silk
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Length of upholstery silk
1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Panel of upholstery silk
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Woven silk upholstery for a chair
1765 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Catherine II of Russia
1766 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond de la Salle: works from the same years.
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Andromache Mourning Hector
Jacques-Louis David · 1783 · Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Portrait of a Lady
John Smart of Ipswich · 1773 · Yale Center for British Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Louis-Philippe-Joseph, Duke of Orleans 'Philippe Egalité' (1747-1793) (after Sir Joshua Reynolds)
Samuel Drummond · 1785 · National Trust
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Self-Portrait
Francisco Goya · 1783 · Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen
Same era · 1750s–1780s
A young girl walks towards the left with one infant on her shoulder and holding another small child's hand, while two children walk at right with a torch and a basket
Luca Cambiaso · 1775 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
John Jehu, L'Inghilterra
James Bretherton · 1772 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Hot milk jug
Höchst Manufactory · 1770 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Pair of Side Chairs
Artist Unknown - The Mercat Cross, Aberdeen · 1770 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1750s–1780s
The Right Honorable Henry Fox, Lord Holland
William Hogarth · 1782 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Sappho embracing Love
John Mannin · 1786 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Medal cabinet
William Vile · 1760 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1750s–1780s
Fan
Benjamin West · 1775 · Art Institute of Chicago
